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The town’s 22nd annual Canada Day celebration will fly a little higher with the aid of hot air balloon rides.

The 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. party inHarold Black Park will include children’s activities by the Rotary Club of Fonthill, the eighth annual pet show by Welland and District Humane Society and an AMPFest band contest by the mayor’s youth advisory council. It will end with a big blast of fireworks.

The Canada Day parade steps off from A.K. Wigg Public School at 1 p.m. and heads down Haist St. to end at Harold Black Park. Community services co-ordinator Kathy Thorpe said the parade will feature some new bands and many of its popular entries, including fire trucks, military equipment and the E.L. Crossley marching band.

Opening ceremonies and cutting of a cake donated by Fonthill Sobeys — free servings as long as it lasts — follows.

Emma Beaule, a member of 613 Lincoln and Welland Regiment Army Cadets, will sing O Canada.

Sundance Hot Air Balloon tethered rides will be offered from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sign up for rides begins at 2 p.m. at the No. 1 ball diamond.

“We have lots of vendors in the park as well as the Fonthill Lions with their barbecue,” Thorpe said.

Lori DeLuca Dance Place will take to the stage from 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Danny’s Bicycle Repair and the Rotary Club of Fonthill are encouraging kids 12 and under to decorate their two-wheelers for the “Bling Your Bike” contest that starts at 2:45 p.m.

AMPfest winners will receive two free song recordings at Riothill Studios in Fonthill, $100 cash and a spot to perform at the main stage at Pelham Summerfest later in July.

Bands providing entertainment under the tent beginning at 6 p.m. leading up to the fireworks are After 49, Kristel Niemi and Flat Broke.

A shuttle service will run noon to midnight, with a pause in service between 1 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. Stops are at the municipal parking lot on Maple St. in Fenwick, Pelham Municipal Building at Pelham Town Square, Pelham Arena on Haist St. and Harold Black Park.

Also Canada Day, GPS settings will be announced in Harold Black Park for a new geocaching activity.

The town has placed caches in five locations — Harold Black Park, Marlene Steward Streit Park, Centennial Park, North Pelham Park and the Steve Bauer Trail — to encourage residents to explore their town.